Much Needed Vacation

This year instead of spending money on vacation & going to Flordia, we spent about 1/3 on a computer (which we love having), about 1/3 on a riding lawn mower & about 1/3 on Chloe's teeth.  We miss our family in Florida, but decided these things were a bigger priority this year - well, Chloe's teeth helped us make tht decision - LOL.  :0)

When vacation approached, we decided we should make an overdue trip to see Curtis' family in South Georgia.  It had been about 4 years since we last went, so we were anxious to show Chloe off and also to see Curtis' son, Johnny's new baby, Avery.  We were just going to stay a few days as we were short on money.  But, we were blessed by Aunt Faye - who allowed us to stay in her empty home that she's not moved into yet - thus saving us enough money (that we would've spent on a motel) that we stayed almost a week!  What fun we had!  So glad we went.......

FIRST STOP was to see Johnny and his Son, AVERY SHAWN POLLARD.  We also got to meet Avery's mommy, Mandy (such a sweet girl) and her beautiful daughter Shiana



Johnny & Mandy



Avery got Popaw Curtis!

 2ND STOP:  Aunt Faye's family (Aunt Faye was Curtis' mother's sister).  Cousin's Tammy & Myra met us at Aunt Faye's empty house - they were busy cleaning & getting it ready for our stay.  Myra stocked us up with sodas, water, an air mattress, soap, etc.  Thanks So very much to Myra for her Extra work she did to make our stay so comfortable!

Curtis & Aunt Faye - thanks for letting us stay in your home

Lisa and Hank (Aunt Faye's son)

Aunt Faye Robucks' Family



Ruthie, Mrya (Faye's daghter), Aunt Faye & Denise (Faye's daughter aka host of our 4th of July dinner)

                                                                                                                                                     



THIRD STOP:  Uncle JC & Aunt Vivian's house.  Uncle JC is Curtis' mom's brother (Aunt Faye's brother too!)

Aunt Vivian, Curtis, Choe & Uncle JC

Sign hanging in Uncle JC & Aunt Vivian's house

FINAL STOP

Chloe points out Mamaw Crockett's middle name was Jean - just like her middle name :0)

Thank you Lord for allowing us to go to Georgia and catch up with Curtis' family!

Father's Day 2011

What an important day to celebrate!  LOVE my daddy!  Yes, I think I was always a daddy's girl.  And, certainly, Chloe is just as much, if not more, her Daddy's Girl!

We were blessed this year to get to go to church Sunday morning and then for dinner, we celebrated at Frankie & Rick's house.  I love going there.  Missed our baby sis, Tabby who was doing God's work in NY.

My sweet Daddy & Rick

Chloe's sweet Daddy

The Dad's relaxing before we ate

Dad getting his outdoor thermometer

Thanks for cooking for us Frankie!

Sweet Momma

Neice, Kimberly

Chloe & Hailey

Vehicles, Vehicles & A Chicken

Well, good-bye Kia Sedona van....  Never thought I'd miss a 2003 Kia Sedona van with over 100,000 miles - but I do!  On a Wednesday night in June, we went to church, as usual.  Chloe went to SmallWorks & Curtis & I went into the sanctuary.  While waiting for church to start - a huge storm came.  All of a sudden, water started flooding in thru the side door of the church, right in front of the stage.  Since we live so close to the church, Curtis took our van to go get a shop vac to clean up the flood.  He got to the end of the church road and turned right - right into about 3 ft of water.  And, the van was flooded out.  Ironic, huh? 

On June 20th we received word from the insurance company that the van was totalled.  Of course, we had little money given to us & needed immediate replacement - with NO payment plan.  We still owe for Curtis' vehicle and knew we couldn't do that.  So, we shopped & on June 25th - we were thanking Jesus for a Honda CRV.  Yes, it's older and yes it has more miles than the van.  And we are still thanking Jesus for the Honda CRV!  Ya never know, if we'd kept the van - it might've needed a major repair that cost more than it was worth.  The good Lord helped us replace it!

So before we went shopping and found the CRV - a baby chick was born! 

Chloe has a new hobby - she's now Mama Chick!

It started with some eggs  gathered at a farm.  All the sudden, we heard 'chirp, chirp' and decided we were NOT eating those eggs!  Heat lamp was put in place & out of all those eggs - ONE chick hatched!



Meet "Floppy" - a Skinned Neck (aka Naked Neck) Chicken!




She's a good momma chick ;0) 
She named the chick Floppy - because we don't know if it's a male or a female & it does flop around a lot :-)



Well, that's how we ended June.  And, then came July..........

Curtis was driving his truck home from work and a truck pulled out in front of him.  They did not have insurance.  Thankfully, we do.  Just hard to swallow that I went 28 years without filing an insurance claim - and BAM, had to file 2 in a row!  They did repair the truck - but we had to go ahead and pay the deductible up front - and wait for it to be reimbursed.  Got the truck home for 2 days and the wheel bearing went out - almost $400 for repair.  Good thing the Lord doesn't give us more than we can handle!  I'm happy to report we were reimbursed the deductible - finally..... (just now happened, in August).....

SO - the moral of the story of Vehicle, Vehicle & a Baby Chick?  I don't really know.... But, I do know I'm thankful for the Honda CRV, thankful Curtis wasn't injured in the wreck, thankful I had chosen uninsured motorist coverage (which is how we finally got the reimbursement check).  Certainly did a lot of praying in June and July.  ;)  Maybe that's why we were blessed with "New Life" in a little chick form. Floppy is a welcome, happy addition to our home.  He/She is getting Big!  Gotta get more pics and post them.

Guess that's all for now............  More to come..............

JUNE memories

June came & went - boy was it packed with adventure! 

Mom & Dad celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary!  I'm so blessed to have been raised by parents who stuck together all these years.

Lots of birthdays (special shout to my neice Jennifer & Jason Kemp on their 4th anniversary & my neice Jessica on her 19th birthday) and anniversary celebrations.... too many to list.

Mission fundraiser dinner for Sabrina Bandiaky who went to El Savador, South America for her summer break.  Not too many high school girls would give up their summer for that.  Love that girl!   I know she is going to continue to do awesome things for God.   

And we had the big, once in a lifetime family photo shoot with professional photographer, Carrie Workman! All my children & grandchildren plus Curtis, Chloe & I were there. Terry & his family went to Myrtle Beach - right after the photo shoot. Lydia got up early after working all night - to be at the photo shoot. I think they realized it was important to me. SMILES ;)  Will post some of those later.


Chloe, Catelynn & Collin started attending the day camp @ SonRise Gymnastics.  What a GREAT ministry they have going on there!  Only $25/child + some field trip fees + you provide them a sack lunch.  An Incredible value!  They went to Tinsley pool every Monday and Bowling every Wednesday - no additional fee.  Field trips in June were to the Warner Park Zoo in Chattanooga, a Movie (yes in a theatre) and the Tennessee Aquarium!

This pic was taken at church in June by our friend, Tammy McConnell.........